Group Two Crowning Glory For All Stars Gelding

Five Crowns (NZ) (Bettor’s Delight) has shown plenty of ability for trainers Mark and Nathan Purdon, and on Sunday he was rewarded with his maiden stakes victory in the Group Two Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes Final (2200m) at Ascot Park.

From his inside draw, New Zealand’s leading reinsman Blair Orange pinged Five Crowns off the mobile arm to secure an early lead, and the pair didn’t relinquish their advantage, with the son of Bettor’s Delight showing his talent down the home straight when distancing his rivals to score a comfortable five-length victory.

“He kept himself together and he travelled so kindly,” Orange said. “He sort of half went to sleep down the back the last time, but I jerked him up at the 500m and had plenty of horse under me.

“We didn’t have an easy time of it but we would have run a slick half and a nice quarter, but what he did was really pleasing heading to the Derbys later on.”

Five Crowns has now won five and placed in two of his 11 starts to date, with his stakes earnings now north of $80,000, and Orange believes he has a bright future ahead.

“He has never let us down on raceday yet and he will enjoy the tougher grade,” Orange said. “He can go to sleep in races and he has got potent speed. He is pretty versatile and he can be used at both ends. I think he will end up the complete package and be a good wee tradesman.”

Five Crowns is the first foal out of four-win Mach Three mare Gladamare (NZ), a half-sister to Group One performer Shandale (NZ) (Art Major).

He was bred by Breckon Farms Ltd and offered through their 2023 NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sale draft at Karaka where he was purchased by Phil and Glenys Kennard for $140,000.